What is the best bird bath for my backyard?
This is a common question asked by many bird feeding enthusiasts. Unfortunately, it’s not one that is easy to answer.
The problem is that birdbaths come in MANY different styles, colors, and materials and there are HUNDREDS of options available to purchase.
For example, are you looking for a decorative bath in the middle of your garden? Or do you need a water source that attaches to your deck?
In this post, I am sharing 12 different bird baths for you to check out. I tried to include a large variety of different styles and types, with the hope that you can find a product that fits your specific wants and needs.
Here is how my list of the 12 BEST bird baths is organized:
I hope you enjoy and find the perfect birdbath. At the very least, I think you will get pointed in the right direction!
Pedestal Birdbaths: (4 options)
When someone pictures a birdbath, a pedestal bath is what most people think of first.
To me, they have the “classic” or “traditional” birdbath look, which is a round bowl supported by a sturdy pedestal. The average height off the ground is usually around three feet.
This bird bath features a simple design, which includes a basic metal stand that supports the water bowl. This product is perfect if you want a low price and aren’t looking for something fancy to decorate your garden. Can you say, minimalist?
One nice feature about this product is that you can heat the water! In the cold winter months, you can plug the bath in to keep the water from freezing. Having an open-source of water in freezing temperatures is an excellent way to attract birds in winter.
Here are some other notable features:
- Thermostatically controlled (150 watts of power) that should keep the water between 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. The included cord is relatively short (15 inches), so you will need to purchase an outdoor extension cord too.
- The bowl has a textured surface and rim that is specially designed to help a bird’s talons grasp and land.
- The diameter of the bowl measures 20 inches across and 2 inches deep. The stand measures 30 inches high.
This birdbath is a solid addition to any backyard. It gives the appearance of a large, concrete bath, but it’s actually only ten pounds! The light weight makes it EASY to move and clean.
And speaking of easy cleaning, the water basin can be removed, which allows you to take the top to your hose for scrubbing and hosing.
Maybe the best part about this birdbath is that it’s heated! A built-in extension cord runs up the middle of the pedestal. The heater (120 watts) is thermostatically controlled. One nice feature is that the power cord can be hidden while the heater is not in use.
- Farm Innovators includes a 3-year warranty on this heated birdbath! Please click here to read more details.
View prices on Amazon!
Both of these glass bird baths are the same, except for the fact they feature different designs. I think I’m partial to the pretty pink glass, but I know many people can’t resist something with hummingbirds. 🙂
Having either of these baths in your flower garden would make a great decoration, in addition to providing a water source for birds. In fact, this product can also be displayed indoors!
The glass bowl is 14.25 inches in diameter and the stand reaches about 22 inches high. If you don’t like either of these designs, make sure to see a bunch more by the same company, Grateful Gnome, HERE.
View prices on Amazon!
I included this product because, for an affordable price, you get an attractive looking birdbath (that works). I like the antique copper finish, but if you don’t, it also comes in green.
The bath is made from resin, which means it’s weather-resistant and will help preserve its vintage look. The construction is also super durable, and it shouldn’t break if it accidentally falls.
The birdbath stands a little over 28 inches tall, and the water basin is 20 inches across. If you find that the bath is too wobbly, then you can fill the inside of the pedestal with water or sand to help weigh it down.
Ground Baths: (3 options)
True to their name, ground bird baths are positioned on or very close to the ground.
The reason for their proximity to the ground is to appeal to the instincts of many birds. Just think about it, almost all birds in the wild have to come down to the ground to drink!
Also, ground baths are used by many unique birds and mammals. Some of the species seen drinking at my ground birdbath include ducks, hawks, skunks, raccoons, and opossums, in addition to many songbirds.
Compare the prices of this birdbath!
This ground bath is the one that I have in my backyard!
If you want, you can watch my birdbath LIVE and in action below.
I have a webcam that streams the area underneath my bird feeders 24/7. The camera even has incredible night vision to watch the nighttime animals.
First, I like that this ground bath is made from recycled poly lumber. This material is incredibly durable. I have owned this product for a few years now, and there has been no fading, splitting, or cracking of the material.
The water pan is shallow at only 2 inches deep. This depth makes it easy for birds to access the water, but I do have to refill the water quite often since the pan doesn’t hold much volume. I also have a small, slanted rock in the center of the pan to allow birds a place to land and slowly wade into the water.
The height of the bath is roughly six inches off the ground, so it’s easily accessible for all animals. Even newborn ducklings have been observed jumping up and going for a swim!
I leave this birdbath in my yard all year round. During the winter, I place a deicer into the water to prevent it from freezing. As you can imagine, since the water is only 2 inches deep, it freezes extremely fast.
Lastly, I wanted to mention that the plastic pan is not attached to the poly lumber. So this makes cleaning the pan extremely easy! Almost every time that I refill the bath with water, I remove the pan and dump out the debris that the birds managed to spill into the water.
What’s nice about this bath is that you can use it just about anywhere!
If you want to put it on the ground, then it has legs that can be attached. Also included are mounts that allow you to connect the birdbath to either your deck or a post.
As the name suggests, this bird bath has a heater inside for when the weather turns cold, and it has been tested down to -10°F (-23°C). During the warmer months, you can hide the cord underneath out of view. The heater is thermostatically controlled and only operates when needed, which saves on your electric bill.
The plastic water basin removes easily for cleaning and scrubbing. But please note that the water dish is not very large at 14 inches in diameter, and it only holds about one quart of water. You will probably need to refill this birdbath often.
I own this heated, ground birdbath, and I have used it in my backyard for a few years.
There are many things that I like about the product. First, I think it looks incredible, and its sand coating gives it a rock-like appearance that blends in well. The sand coating also gives birds a rough surface that they can grab onto with their talons.
I have never had a problem with the heating. No matter how cold the weather becomes, there is always open water for the birds to drink. For example, check out this hawk that came down for a drink!
I have only one complaint to make.
After about a year, the sand coating started to chip off in certain spots. This flaw didn’t affect the performance of the heater or the bath, but it definitely made it less appealing to look at. I have also heard this same complaint from other people.
Deck-mounted Birdbaths: (2 options)
Can you imagine waking up in the morning, grabbing some coffee, and then watching birds drink and bathe right on your deck?
Well, with a deck-mounted birdbath, this scenario is entirely possible.
I think having a small bath attached to your deck has many benefits. First, it’s very close to your house, therefore making it easy to observe the birds that use the water source.
Second, the bowls on a deck-mounted bath are typically smaller and lighter, which makes them easier to refill and clean!
Since birdbaths that attach to your deck are typically close to your home, they offer extraordinary views of birds drinking and bathing.
This specific HEATED bath provides many benefits (listed below) for a relatively low price!
- Constructed of plastic, so it’s not going to shatter when it freezes or falls.
- Includes a mounting bracket that also features a hinge, which makes the bath easy to tip to the side to empty old water.
- The power cord can be stored underneath the basin and out of sight during warmer months.
- The birdbath measures 20 inches across with a 2-inch depth.
- Maintains open water up to -20ºF (-28ºC) and uses a 150-watt heater.
If you are looking for a functional birdbath that is easy to attach to your deck and doesn’t cost very much, then this option is a good choice.
Included is a clamp that is used to secure the bath. And the best part is that no tools are required. After opening the box, you should have this product outside on your deck, attached, and full of water in under five minutes.
The bowl is 10 inches across and tapers down, which allows birds a chance to find the depth that works best for them. Even at its maximum, the depth is only approximately 2.5 inches. This means that the water evaporates fairly quickly, so you will need to refill and refresh the water every day or so.
Hanging Bird Baths: (3 options)
Hanging baths are nice for many reasons.
First, they are easy to move around the yard, which allows you to try many locations. I like that you can hang them from your bird feeding pole next to your feeders, allowing your birds to eat and drink in the same place!
Second, hanging birdbaths come in a variety of colors and styles. I think they make great decorations in flower gardens, in addition to helping birds.
And lastly, because they are smaller, hanging baths are easy to take down to scrub and clean!
This hanging birdbath, made from pure copper, is absolutely beautiful. I think it makes a fancy addition to almost any garden. The best part is that it’s also functional, and the bath should attract a wide variety of birds.
The bowl is 17 inches across and about 2 inches deep at its maximum.
Did you know that copper is a natural inhibitor for bacteria and algae?
While you will still need to clean the bath often, this fact means you may be able to go a bit longer between cleanings!
This bright and colorful glass hanging bath looks fantastic. I love the colors and design. As far as looks are concerned, I think that colorful glass is my favorite option for birdbaths!
This bath measures 11.25 inches across and is approximately 3 inches deep in the center.
It’s incredibly easy to clean too since it’s made from glass. Dirt and debris should wash right off without sacrificing any of the beautiful colors.
Overall, a great combination of functionality, design, and price!
If you don’t care much about what your hanging bird bath looks like, then this product may be what you need. And make sure you check out the price above, because it’s incredibly inexpensive!
As you can see, there are no fancy colors or vintage designs. It’s simply a plastic pan.
Because the bird bath is made out of plastic, cleaning is incredibly simple and easy since you don’t have to worry about breaking fragile glass. Just bring the bath down and scrub and blast with your hose.
The pan is roughly 12 inches wide and 2 inches deep, which provides a large area for birds to bathe and drink. Since the bowl is not tapered, I would recommend putting in a small rock that allows birds to wade in to find the depth they prefer.
Final Thoughts – Best Bird Baths
Putting up a birdbath in your backyard is a fantastic decision. Not only does a bath look nice, but the creatures it attracts are incredibly entertaining to watch.
I did my best to compile a list of some of the best bird baths available to purchase today. I know there are many more out there that will do just fine in your yard.
To be honest, I’d love to hear about what you are currently using? It would also be beneficial to anyone else who reads through this article.
What birdbath are you currently using?
Please share the style, make, and model if possible!
Lastly, you may want to read this post that I wrote:
Thanks for reading.
Scott
